Glasgow: With the 2026 Commonwealth Games approaching, Olympic silver medallist Mirabai Chanu has urged India’s weightlifters to block out the pressure of expectations and compete with confidence, saying success will depend on trusting their preparation rather than thinking about medals.
Ahead of the weightlifting events, Chanu said it is natural for athletes representing India to face high expectations from fans. However, she advised both experienced and first-time competitors not to let those expectations affect their performance, stressing that the focus should remain on executing what they have practised.
The former world champion also encouraged young lifters to approach the Commonwealth Games with the same mindset they would adopt for the World Championships or Asian Championships. According to Chanu, overthinking the competition only creates unnecessary pressure, while confidence in training allows athletes to perform at their best.
Weightlifting competitions at the 2026 Commonwealth Games are scheduled to take place from July 26 to July 30 at the SEC Armadillo in Glasgow. Chanu will be part of India’s women’s squad alongside Gyaneshwari Yadav, Bindyarani Devi, Harjinder Kaur, Sanjana and Martina Devi. The men’s team includes Rishikanta Singh, M. Raja, Ajaya Babu, Dilbag Singh and Lovepreet Singh.
The 31-year-old, a two-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist and Tokyo Olympic silver medallist, is set to return to international action after recovering from a shoulder injury that forced her to miss the Asian Weightlifting Championships in May.
India will be aiming for another strong showing in weightlifting as the Commonwealth Games continue through August 2, with Chanu’s experience expected to provide valuable guidance to the country’s young lifters.
